A Year of Gratitude – August 15, 2024
My reason for gratitude followed me out into the garden this evening. I find that gardening is much like cooking or baking in that I can enjoy engaging in those pursuits alone, but I much prefer to have the company of someone I love while I am doing them.
Penny Lane has always loved to garden with me. Since the time when she was a very young puppy, she has been curious about everything that grows in the garden. She likes to plunge her nose deep into a flower to sniff it. She likes to get a closeup look of what’s ripe and delicious in the kitchen garden too.
Mostly, she just likes to be outside with us. So, after a nice early evening stroll, we stopped and walked through the garden. There were a lot of tomatoes to pick. She waited patiently while I plucked the ripe cherry tomatoes from the vines. She sniffed the air when I picked a few herbs to bring back into the kitchen with me. She kept a watchful eye on the songbirds that were flying about in the yard up ahead.
When I was finished, we walked around the chicken coop. She did an inspection, making sure that everything was in order. She’s been watching over these hens since they were day old chicks. They all know each other well.
Then we came back inside. I took off my boots, hung up her leash, and headed to the kitchen with my tomatoes and herbs. She helped herself to a drink of water and then flopped down on the cold slate tile floor in the kitchen.
She waited for me to be finished in the kitchen. Once I headed to the family room, she was happy to follow me. She chose a spot on the couch, situated her blankets and pillow just the way she likes them, and flopped down.
In moments, her eyes were closed. She was drifting off to a peaceful sleep. I was just grateful for her company. That’s a feeling I have every day. I’m so lucky to have her as a companion in the garden or wherever I am.
This post is part of our A Year of Gratitude Series. You can find the introduction, inspiration, and entire year’s gratitude’s posts here.